Plastic package



July 22, 1969 J. J. SIRAGO 3,456,784

PLASTIC PACKAGE Filed Jan. 8. 1968 B27/M. M

United States Patent O 3,456,784 PLASTIC PACKAGE James J. Sirago, 8540 Washington Blvd., `Culver City, Calif. 90230 Filed Jan. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 696,256 Int. Cl. B65d 73/00 U.S. Cl. 206-78 6 Claims ABSTRACT or THE DISCLOSURE A rigid, fluid-tight, hand fracturable container for protecting O-rings and other small rubber or synthetic plastic parts Afrom deterioration and deformation.

Broadly, this invention comprises a container in which a chamber is defined between two panels which are sealed to one another in a fluid-tight relationship. At least one weakened fracture line extends from the outer periphery of at least one of the panels towards the chamber. 'Ihe panels are capable of being fractured by the application of hand force along the weakened fracture line. The material of which the panels are composed is of such a nature that fractures propagate readily in it. Many pieces of precision machinery depend upon a variety of precision O-rings and other types of circular seals to seal them against foreign substances and the escape of fluids from within the machinery. These seals are manufactured to very close tolerances and must retain these close tolerance las well as the desired physical characteristics while in storage and transportation prior to being placed in service.

Considerable difficulty had previously been experienced in protecting these precision seals from abrasion, deformation and deterioration during storage and transportation to the site of use.

According to this invention, these and other difficulties of the prior art have been overcome. The container of this invention is adapted to protect a variety of sizes of circular precision seals from abrasion, deformation and deterioration through contact with the ambient atmosphere. The container permits ready access to the seal which it protects.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a container.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional side elevational view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional side elevational view taken on line 3-3 in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing a container being opened.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a further embodiment of this container.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of an additional embodiment of this container.

Referring particularly to FIGURE l through FIGURE 4, there is illustrated a container 10 composed of a rigid, transparent, thermoplastic material having a first panel 12 in which there is provided a recess 14. Extending outwardly from recess 14 is peripheral wall 16. A second panel 18 is provided with a peripheral wall 20 which is coextensive with and parallel to peripheral Wall 16. Peripheral walls 16 and 20 terminate at outer edge 22 and are fused together in a fluid-tight relationship at seal 24.

A first weakened fracture line 26 extends from one corner of container 10 and is formed by fusing first panel 12 to second panel 18. First weakened fracture line 26 extends only part way from outer edge 22 toward recess 14. A second weakened fracture line 28 is provided at a second corner of container 10. Likewise a third weakened fracture line 30 and a fourth weakened fracture lCC line 32 are provided at the remaining two corners of container 10. A chamber 34 is defined between recess 14 of first panel 12 and the wall of second panel 18. Because first panel 12 and second panel 18 are fused together at seal 24, chamber 34 is protected from the ambient atmosphere. O-ring 36 is nestled within chamber 34.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 4, container 10 is illustrated perspectively in the process of being opened. As illustrated, the mechanic has grasped the peripheral wall portions of container 10 on either side of first weakened fracture line 26. By exerting a small amount of force, first weakened fracture line 26 has been caused to break or fracture, thus starting fracture 38. Because of the nature of the rigid thermoplastic material of which container 1l) is composed, fracture 38 propagates with little effort. Substantially less effort is required to propagate fracture 38 than was initially required to break the container along fracture line 26.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 5, there is illustrated a container 40 of rigid, transparent, thermoplastic material having a generally square plan form and a plurality of weakened fracture lines 42 extending from the outer edges of the container inwardly from about the midportion of each of the four sides of container 40. A small O-ring 43 is nestled within container 40.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 6, there is illustrated a container 44 which has a round configuration in the plan view. A plurality of weakened fracture lines 46 extend from the outer edge of this container inwardly toward the center of the container. An O-ring 48 is nestled within container 44.

Suitable thermoplastic materials from which the container of this invention may be prepared include, for example, the cellulose esters, such a cellulose acetate, and acrylic materials, such as methyl methacrylate.

The choice of thermoplastic materials for first panel 12 and second panel 18 is preferably such that at least one of these panels is transparent to facilitate examination and selection of a proper seal by the mechanic who is to use the seal in the repair or manufacture of a particular machine.

The provision of a plurality of weakened fracture lines enhance the utility of the container of this invention. A mechanic can select one of these containers and break it open immediately without the necessity of turning it around to a specific location. This is particularly true when the container is of a generally rectangular shape in the plan View and there is a weakened fracture line extending from each of the four corners of the container.

In the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the chamber for the precision seal is formed between a recess in one panel and the flat wall of a second panel. If desired, both walls may contain a recess. The peripheral walls of the container may extend outwardly from the chamber at any desired angle. The chamber may be shaped to accommodate a particular seal as desired. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, what has been described are preferred embodiments in which modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container which comprises:

a recess in the wall of a first panel;

a peripheral wall portion of said first panel extending outwardly from said recess;

a second panel adjacent to said first panel and covering said recess to define a chamber between said recess and said second panel;

a peripheral wall portion ol.' said second panel extending adjacent to and substantially parallel with said peripheral wall portion of said first panel, said peripheral wall portions being sealed to one another in a fluid-tight relationship; at least one of said wall portions being of relatively brittle fracturable consistency; and

a weakened fracture line in said one of said peripheral wall portions extending from the outer edge of said peripheral wall portion toward said chamber.

2. A container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said panels comprises a rigid transparent thermoplastic material in which fractures propagate readily.

3. A container which comprises:

a recess in the Wall of iirst panel;

a peripheral wall portion of said -irst panel extending outwardly from said recess;

a second panel adjacent to said first panel and covering said recess to deiine a chamber between said recess and said second panel;

a peripheral Wall portion of Said second panel extending adjacent to and substantially parallel with said peripheral wall portion of said iirst panel, said peripheral wall portions being sealed to one another in a iiuid-tight relationship;

a weakened fracture line in said one of said peripheral wall portions extending from the outer edge of said peripheral wall portion toward said chamber;

said panels being square, transparent, rigid, thermoplastic sheets, said second panel being a flat sheet, said outer edges being fused together, said peripheral wall portions being fused together along four lines to form said weakened fracture lines, said lines extending respectively from the four corners of said container toward said chamber, and said panels being hand fracturable along said weakened fracture lines.

4. A container which comprises:

a disk shaped recess in the wall of a rst panel;

a peripheral wall portion of said first panel extending outwardly in one plane from said recess;

a second panel substantially coextensive with said iirst panel and covering said recess to define a chamber between said recess and said Second panel;

a peripheral wall portion of said second panel extending adjacent the peripheral wall portion of said first panel, the outer edges of said respective wall portions being sealed together in a duid-tight relationship; and

a plurality of weakened fracture lines in said peripheral wall portions, said lines extending from said outer edges part way toward said chamber, said panels being hand fracturable along said weakened fracture lines.

5. A container of claim 4 wherein said panels comprise a rigid thermoplastic material in which fractures propagte readily.

6. A container of claim 4 wherein said panels comprise a rigid thermoplastic material, said outer edges are fused together and said peripheral wall portions being fused together along a plurality of lines to Iform said weakened fracture lines.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,653,120 9/1953 Adler 206--56 JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner 

